Detergent generator for washing machines



Nov. 7, 1939. R. BEHRMAN DETERGENT GENERATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES FiledAug. 26, 1956 DETERGENT m/ Gmzvuznz Fan/v INVENTOR. ROBERT BEHRMANATTORNEYS II I ll Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEDETERGENT GENERATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES The present invention relatesto the washing machine art and particularly to that portion of the artwhich has to do with devices for generating cleaning solutions andfeeding said solutions to a washing machine during its operation.

More specifically stated, the invention is directed to that type ofdevice for generating and feeding cleaning solutions wherein a givenamount of water is periodically brought into contact with a given amountof detergent in solid or granular form and the resultant solution is fedto the washing machine.

A primary object of the invention is greatly to improve and simplifydetergent generators of the foregoing type.

Another important object is to provide a device of the foregoing typewhich will function economically and efiectively to generate and feed acharge of cleaning solution of given and constant strength orconcentration.

Another object of importance is to provide a device of the foregoingtype wherein the main supply of detergent is maintained out of contactwith the water supply and free of contamination with the grease andfilth separated during the process of washing.

Another object of equal importance is to provide a device of theforegoing type which is provided with means for visibly indicating thestrength or concentration of the cleaning solution being generated.

Another important object is to provide a device of the foregoing typewhich can be readily adjusted by an authorized person to generate anddeliver a cleaning solution of desired strength or concentration.

Still another object is to provide a device of the foregoing type whichis particularly well adapted for use with washing machines of differenttypes and constructions.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the device of theinvention in one of its broad aspects consists of a reservoir containinga main supply of detergent in solid or granular form, means forseparating a given amount of detergent from said main supply and meansfor bringing a given amount of water into contact with said separateddetergent in order to generate a cleaning solution of desired strengthor concentration. I

In a more specific aspect, the device of the invention may be providedwith means for visibly indicating the strength or concentration of thesolution being generated.

In another specific aspect, the device of the invention may be providedwith means for varying the amount of detergent separated from the mainsupply.-

The inventive concept underlying the invention is capable of beingembodied in widely varying forms and constructions. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, one of the forms in which the invention maybe embodied is shown in the accompanying drawing and will now bedescribed.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Figure 1 is a vertical substantiallycentral cross-section through the illustrative embodiment of theinvention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-section substantially on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1, and showing the apertures in the two sets of bottom plates innon-registering position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, the apertures in the two sets ofplates being shown in registering position;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line H of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the raised bottom of theinner shell of the device showing the arrangement and construction ofthe two sets of plates.

Referring now to the drawing with greater particularity, it will benoted that the device which has been selected to illustrate theinvention consists of two concentric shells l and 2. The outer shell isshown as being provided with a bottom 3 which may be secured to thecylindrical wall in any desired or well-known manner. The outer shellmay also be provided with an annular cover plate 4 and a lid 5. Thecover plate and the lid may be removed as a unit wh"never it is desiredto have easy access to the interior of the device or to remove the innershell. The lid 5 is provided with a knob 6 to enable it to be readilyremoved whenever it is desired to add a supply of detergent to thedevice. The outer shell is also shown as being provided with an inlet Iand an outlet 8, the structures and purposes of which will behereinafter described.

The inner cylindrical shell 2 may advantageously have an open top and anopen bottom and is shown as resting directly upon the bottom 3 of theouter shell. Spacing means may be provided to keep the two shellsconcentrically spaced. In Figures 2 and 3 the spacing means are shown tohave the form of small U-shaped elements 9 secured in a suitable mannerto the inner shell at equally spaced intervals. The inner shell is alsoprovided about its lower circumference with a single row of aperturesIII to serve a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out.

The inner shell is also provided with a raised floor which isillustrated as consisting of three circular plates ll, l2 and I3 securedin a suitable manner to each other and to the circumferential wall ofthe shell. The middle plate i2 is shown as being provided with amultiplicity of minute perforations i4 uniformly spaced. Theseperforations-may be the size of pin holes, it being essential that theybe smaller than the granules of the detergent so that the granules willnot sift through the bottom 01 the inner shell.

The upper plate ii is shown as being provided with two sets of aperturesI 5 and I6. Apertures ii are considerably larger than the apertures 16and are arranged in a circle about the circumference of the plate. Theapertures I6 are arranged in a circle about the center of the plate. Itis to be noted that the apertures l5 and IS in the upper plate H aremuch larger than the apertures II in the intermediate plate l2.

The lower plate 13 is shown as also being provided with two sets ofapertures I 1 and [8. The apertures H in the lower plate l3 are equal insize and in number to the apertures i5 in the upper plate and arearranged in the same manner. Hence the two sets of apertures l5 and I!are in permanent registration or alinement. The

apertures IS in the lower plate l3 are equal in size and in number tothe apertures IS in the upper plate and are arranged in the same manner.Hence the two sets of apertures i6 and I8 are also in permanentregistration or alinement.

The effective size of the registering apertures in plates II and i3 maybe varied at will by means of the plate I9 which is mounted upon theraised floor of the inner shell for rotative movement about the pivotpin 20 which is secured to the plate and which extends throughregistering apertures in the three plates ll, 12 and I3. The pivot pinis provided with screw threads as .shown and with a nut 2| which may betightened on the pivot pin to secure the plate I9 against accidental orunintentional displacement. To facilitate turning the plate l9 about itsaxis the pivot pin is provided at its upper portion with a knob'22. Theplate 19 is provided with a downwardly extending pin 23 which extendsthrough an arcuate slot 24 provided in the three plates ll, I2 and 13.The pin 23 and slot 23 serve to limit the amount that the plate i9 canbe turned about the pivot pin.

The plate I9 is provided with an outer series of apertures 25 whichcorrespond in size, number and arrangement with the registeringapertures.

l5 and I! in plates II and I3. The plate 19 is also provided with aninner series of apertures 26 which correspond in size, number andarrangement with the registering apertures 19 and [8 in plates H and I3.It is thought to be clear from the foregoing description that theapertures in plate I9 can be brought into registration or partialregistration with the'corresponding apertures in plates H and I3 byturning the plate the necessary amount about the pivot pin 20. Likewise,that the plate Hi can be turned a suiiicient amount to close all theapertures. The apertures are shown in complete alinement in Figures 1,3, 5 and 6, while Figure 2 shows the position of the plate l9 when theapertures are completely closed.

The inlet 1 consists of a narrow bore tubing connected in a suitablemanner to a water supply and to the circumferential wall of the outershell I. The inlet is preferably disposed a short distance below theraised bottom of the inner shell 2. As illustrated it may advantageouslybe provided with a suitable form of valve or control lever 21 which maybe used to regulate the amount of water entering the generator duringits cycle of operation.

The outlet 8 is shown as consisting of a tubing 28 connected in a mannerto be described to the circumferential wall of the outer shell I. Theoutlet has preferably a larger cross-sectional area than the inlet'andis attached to the shell somewhat higher than the inlet to insure thatthe level of the water will not rise above the forami nous plate I2. Inactual practice, I have found a ratio of 5:]. between the outlet andinlet to be suitable.

The connections between the tubing 28 and the shell are illustrated asconsisting of the following elements:

A nipple 29 having a threaded portion 30 and secured by means of twonuts designated as 3| and 32 to the shell I;

A second nipple 33 screwed into the nipple 29;

A third nipple 34 threadably connected to the nipple 33; and

A screw-threaded union 35 for securing the tubing 28 to the nipple 34.

Each of the nuts 3| and 32, the union 35 and each of the nipples 29 and34 are shown provided with angular outer portions to facilitateconnecting and tightening the parts together. This can be done by handwithout the aid of any tools whatsoever.

The second nipple 33 may be provided with a sightglass or gauge for apurpose to be hereinafter pointed out. To this end the nipple isprovided with the two diametrically opposite apertures 36 and 31 andcontains a glass tube 38. which fits tightly within the nipple and whichhas ends projecting from the nipple. About the projecting ends arepositioned rubber washers 3S and M to absorb the pressure incident totightening the connections.

A brief description of the mode of operation of the device will now begiven, it being assumed that the device of the invention forms part ofthe system of a. washing machine (not shown). At periodic intervalsduring the operation of the machine a stream of water flows into theouter shell I of the device through the inlet 1. This flow may beproduced by manually opening a valve (not shown), but I prefer to'havethe device so connected into the system that the flow of water startsand stops automatically as one of the cycles of operation of themachine. The necessary connections to produce this cycle do notconstitute part of the present invention and hence are not illustrated.

Before proceeding further, it should be noted that the valve or controllever 21 is normally open during the entire operation of the washingmachine, this element serving only to regulate the amount of waterentering the device during the detergent-generating cycle of themachine. It is also to be noted that during the normal operation of thedevice the plate 19 is so positioned relative to the raised bottom ofthe inner shell 2 that the apertures in plate I9 are either wholly orpartially in register with the corresponding apertures in plate ll. Ashas been stated the detergent is in granular form, and

the granules are larger than the perforations It in the foraminous plateI! so that the detergent cannot sift through. Hence, the granules coverthe plate l9 and fill the recesses or pockets which are formed by theregistering sets of apertures in plates II and I 9 and the foraminousplate [2.

The water flows from the outer shell I through the apertures l0 into theinner shell 2 and out through the outlet 8. As has been stated therelative sizes. of the inlet and outlet are preferably such that thelevel of the water does not rise above the top of the foraminous plate.The height to which the water will rise can also be regulated by meansof the valve or control lever 21. As the water flows through the deviceit readily dissolves the charge of detergent contained in the recessesor pockets in the raised floor, and an additional charge automaticallyfalls by gravity into the recesses or pockets. When the supply of wateris shut oif at the end of the detergent-generating cycle, the height ofwater in the inner shell drops to a constant level to be raised again tothe top of the foraminous plate when the supply is opened again at thebeginning of the next detergent-generating cycle.

It has been found in actual practice that the water does not seepthrough to the main supply of detergent which is always kept in aperfectly dry and uncontaminated condition.

The provision of the sight glass or gauge in the outlet renders itpossible to observe the solution of detergent immediately after it hasbeen generated. I preferably incorporate a substance such as a dye inthe detergent so that the strength or concentration of the generatedsolution can be ascertained from its color. Tartrazine is a suitable dyewhich may be used. This dye is orange when dry, is light green in verydilute solution and yellow in more concentrated solutions. Knowing theconcentration or strength of the solution passing through the outlet 8it is a simple matter to regulate the amount of detergent taken up atone time by the water passing through the device. It is only necessaryto rotate the plate is by means of the knob 22 to change the amount ofregister between the apertures in the plate l9 and the plate II. Inorder that this change may be accomplished by an authorized person only,the tightening nut 2| is placed on the bottom-side of the raised flooroi the inner shell. This renders it necessary to remove the inner shellin order to adjust the plate IS. The tightening nut also serves to bringthe plate l9 into close and intimate contact with the raised bottom sothat no water ,can seep through into the main supply of detergent. Itshould be pointed out that for a given installation the adjustment needbe made only occasionally so that the provision of the tightening nutdoes not result in any inconvenience and produces considerable economiesin the use of detergent.

It should be noted that the structure of the connections between theoutlet pipe 28 and the outer shell are such that the intermediate nipple33 containing the sight glass or gauge can be readily adjusted so thatthe apertures 36 and 31 are at any desired position relative to thehorizontal. Hence, by adjusting the intermediate nipple 33 the sightglass can be readily observed regardless of the position of thegenerator itself. The device can, therefore, be placed at the mostconvenient position with reference to the washing machine with which itis to be used without impairing the visibility of the gauge.

The foregoing specification and description include the essential anddistinctive thought of my invention. Although the description issomewhat detailed and certain specific'terms and language have been usedtherein, it is to be understood that the essential and distinctivethought underlying the invention may be modified in various ways and/ orcombined with various other details without affecting the peculiarresults obtained, and without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims, in

which I intend to claim all the patentable novelty inherent in myinvention.

I claim:

1. A device for generating a cleaning solution comprising a vesselhaving positioned therein a horizontal foraminous plate having aplurality of pockets formed therein, said plate dividing said vesselinto two chambers the upper of which is to receive a supply of detergentin granular form and the lower of which is to receive a supply of water;a water inlet connected to said lower chamber; and a water outletconnected to said vessel and so positioned that said foraminous platefalls between a point slightly above the floor and slightly below theceiling of said water outlet.

2. A device for generating a cleaning solution comprising an outervessel; an inner vessel.

adapted to receive a supply of detergent in granular form positioned insaid outer vessel so that the floor of said inner vessel is raised abovethe floor of said outer vessel, said floor of said inner vesselconsisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller insize than said granules and a second plate having a plurality ofapertures formed therein which are larger in size than said granulessuperposed on said foraminous plate and combining with said foraminousplate to form a plurality of granule receiving pockets in said innervessel floor; a water inlet connected to said outer vessel at a pointbelow the floor of said inner vessel; a valve controlling said waterinlet; and a water outlet larger in cross sectional area than said waterinlet connected to said outer vessel and so positioned that saidforaminous plate is between a point slightly above the floor andslightly below the ceiling of said outlet.

3. A device for generating a cleaning solution comprising an outervessel; an inner vessel adapted to receive a supply of detergent ingranular form positioned in said outer vessel so that the floor of saidinner vessel is raised above the floor of said outer vessel, said innervessel floor consisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which aresmaller than said granules, a second plate having apertures formedtherein which are larger than said granules superposed upon saidforaminous plate, and a third plate having apertures formed thereinwhich are larger than said granules superposed upon said second plate,said third plate being movably mounted with respect to said second plateand positioned so that said apertures of said third plate may be broughtinto and out of registry with said apertures formed in said secondplate, each registering pair of apertures of said second and thirdplates combining with said foraminous plate to form granule receivingpockets in said inner vessel floor; a water inlet connected to saidouter vessel at a point below said inner vessel floor; a valvecontrolling said water inlet; and a water outlet larger incross-sectional area than said water inlet connected to said outervessel and positioned so that said foraminous plate is between a pointslightly above the door and slightly below the ceiling of said outlet.

4.'A device for generating a cleaning solution consisting of an outervessel; an inner vessel having a raised floor positioned within saidouter vessel and adapted to receive a supply of detergent in granularform, said raised floor consisting of a foraminous plate havingapertures which are smaller than the size of said granules and a secondplate having apertures which are larger than said granules superposed onsaid foraminous plate and combining with said foraminous plate to form aplurality of granule receiving pockets in said raised floor; a waterinlet connected to said outer vessel; and a wateroutlet connected tosaid outer vessel and so positioned that said foraminous plate isbetween a point slightly above the floor and slightly below the ceilingof said water outlet.

5. A device for generating a cleaning solution, said device consistingof a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of detergent in granularform; a bottom for said reservoir consisting of two superimposed plates,the upper of said plates having formed therein one or more apertures ofa size larger than the individual granules of the detergent and thelower of said plates having formed therein a plurality of perforationsof a size smaller than said individual granules, said apertures in saidupper plate combining with said lower plate to form granule receivingpockets in said bottom of said reservoir; and means associated with saidreservoir for passing a stream of water in contact with said lower platefor dissolving the detergent contained in said pockets.

6. A device for generating a cleaning solution, said device consistingof an outer vessel; an inner vessel adapted to receive a supply ofdetergent in granular form positioned in said outer vessel, said innervesel having a raised floor and having at least one aperture formed inthe walls thereof below said raised floor, said raised floor consistingof a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller than the sizeof said granules and a sec-- ond plate having apertures which are largerthan said granules superposed on said foraminous plate and combiningwith said foraminous plate to form a plurality of granule receivingpockets in said raised floor; a water inlet connected to said outervessel; and a water outlet connected to said outer vessel and sopositioned that said foraminous plate is between a point slightly abovethe floor and slightly below the ceiling of said water outlet.

7. A device for generating a cleaning solution, said device consistingof an outer vessel; an inner vessel adapted to receive a supply ofdetergent in granular form positioned in said outer vessel, said innervessel having a raised floor and having at least one aperture formed inthe walls thereof below said raised floor, said raised floor consistingof a foraminous plate having apertures which are smaller than the sizeof said granules and a second plate having apertures which are largerthan said granules superposed on said foraminous plate and combiningwith said foraminous plate to form a plurality of granule receivingpockets in said raised floor; a water inlet connected to said outervessel at a point below said raised floor; a valve controlling saidwater inlet; and a water outlet larger in cross-sectional area than saidwater inlet connected to said outer vessel and so positioned that saidforaminous plate is between a point slightly above the floor andslightly below the ceiling of said outlet.

8. A device for generating a cleaning solution,

saiddevice consisting of an outer vessel; an inner vessel adapted toreceive a supply of detergent in granular form positioned in said outervessel, said inner vessel having a raised floor and having at least oneaperture formed in the walls thereof below said raised floor, saidraised floor consisting of a foraminous plate having apertures which aresmaller than said granules, a second plate having apertures formedtherein which are larger than said granules superposed upon saidforaminous plate, and a third plate having apertures which are largerthan said granules superposed upon said second plate, said third platebeing movably mounted with respect to said second plate and positionedso that said apertures of said third plate may be brought into and outof registry with said apertures in said second plate, each registeringpair of apertures of said second and third plates combining with saidforaminous plate to form granule receiving pockets in said inner vesselfloor; a water inlet connected to said outer vessel; a valve controllingsaid water inlet; and a water outlet connected to said outer vessel andso positioned that said foraminous plate is between a point slightlyabove the floor and slightly below the ceiling of said outlet.

9.' A device for generating a cleaning solution, said device consistingof an outer vessel; an inner vessel positioned in said outer vessel,said inner vessel having a raised floor and having at least one apertureformed in the walls thereof below said raised floor positioned in saidouter vessel; said raised floor consisting of a foraminous plate havingapertures which are smaller than said granules, a second plate havingapertures formed therein which are larger than said granules superposedupon said foraminous plate, and a third plate having apertures which arelarger than said granules superposed upon said second plate, said thirdplate being movably mounted with respect to said second plate andpositioned so that said apertures of said third plate may be broughtinto and out of registry with said apertures in said second plate, eachregistering pair of apertures of said second and third plates combiningwith said foraminous plate to form granule receiving pockets in saidinner vessel floor; a supply of detergent in granular form havingcoloring matter intimately mixed therewith throughout its entire masspositioned in said inner vessel upon said raised floor; a water inletconnected to said outer vessel at a point no higher than said raisedfloor; a valve controlling said water inlet; a water outlet greater incross-sectional area than said water inlet connected to said outervessel and so positioned that said foraminous plate is between a pointno lower than the floor and slightly below the ceiling of said outlet;and a sight glass carried by said outlet.

ROBERT BEHRMAN.

